Disney Interactive and Marvel Entertainment are assembling a group of iconic super heroes for Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes, which will feature more than 20 new interactive figures, as well as original storylines by Marvel comic writer Brian Michael Bendis. Developed by Avalanche Software, the game includes an all-new Toy Box mode, making it easier for players to create and share with family and friends.

This summer, Marvel Universe Live! will bring more than 25 Marvel characters together for a live arena show that will tour 85 cities, and debuts this July in Tampa, Fla.

Feld Entertainment, the producer of Marvel Universe Live!, will release an exclusive prequel comic book created by Marvel. It will give audiences insight into the story behind the show, as well as introduce a new item in the Marvel Universe that plays a key role in the live show: the Lectro Link.

Written by Frank Tieri and illustrated by Miguel Sepulveda, with color art by Jay David Ramos, the comic is available for a limited time to those who pre-order tickets. The Lectro Link, meanwhile, is being made available as a unique collectible item, which customers can either pre-order online when purchasing tickets or buy at the show.

(4/23: The headline has been changed from “Pre-Order Marvel Universe Live! Tickets, Get Exclusive Comic Book.”)

The newest set of Marvel Minimates, from Diamond Select Toys, has arrived in comic book stores all the way from the Age of Ultron. This set of 2-inch mini-figures also comes packaged with A.O.U. versions of Iron Man and Nick Fury, as well as the first Minimate of Neil Gaiman’s supernatural comic character Angela.

Each Minimate mini-figure has at least 14 points of articulation, and includes a variety of interchangeable parts and accessories. Angela comes with a sword and scabbard, Iron Man has a removable helmet and boot jets, Nick Fury has a rifle and jet pack, and Ultron sports six fully poseable arms.

Last year was a pretty tough Halloween on the east coast. Just a few days before the holiday, Hurricane Sandy shut off our lights, devastated our coasts, and in my neck of the woods, pretty much canceled parties and trick-or-treating. So this year I hope to see all our favorite ghosts and goblins make a big comeback.

Who will you be this year? The Marvel superheroes will be strong sellers. Lets face it: what kid doesn’t want to save the world—and what adult doesn’t want a few hours to be “that hot” at a grown up party dressed up as Iron Man or Wonder Woman!

But it’s not just in the costume. There are some great additions to the two hottest video games with Halloween themes this year that I need to share. Skylanders Giants released their special Halloween edition called Eye-Brawl. It’s sports a pumpkin head and a skeleton head at his feet. Disney Infinity will let kids build their own Halloween town in Toy Box mode, with the Pumpkin King throwing pumpkins at other characters, including the newly released Jack Skellington. [Read more...]

This summer, the big screen will light up with superheroes, including the releases of Iron Man 3 and Man of Steel. And with summer superhero movies comes superhero toys, which range from role play to action figures to slingshots. Toys inspired by movies give kids the chance to be – and play with – superheroes. Here are some of my favorites from these two upcoming films:

The Assemblers Action Figures allow fans to recreate the excitement of the film with this buildable line from Hasbro. Each figure features an interchangeable Armor System, allowing one figure to create more than 25 armor combinations. The armor can be switched out between the 16 available figures in the line to create hundreds of more combinations.

Man of Steel (June 14)

Man of Steel Quick Shots Basic Figures Assortment

Quick Shots figures from Mattel bring Superman’s flying abilities and heroism to life. The stretchy soft figures are designed to safely soar through the air, gently knocking down obstacles set-up in their path. And they’re simple to use! The Quick Shot figure attaches to the launcher figure and is pulled back and released like a slingshot. These will be available in May.

Man of Steel Movie Masters Action Figure

Movie Masters figures from Mattel are designed with authentic detail to bring fans’ favorite characters to life. This assortment of high-quality figures features heroes and villains from the movie Man of Steel. Fans can pose the figures in countless ways due to its high level of articulation. This action figures will be available in June.

Your adventure doesn’t have to stop once you leave the movie theater this summer. Continue fighting crime with your favorite heroes with great toys and collectibles.

For more commentary from Ali, check back often. Views expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Toy Book as a whole. We hope that you will share your comments and feedback below. Until next time!

For the first time in the company’s seven-year history, Ridemakerz will launch a national TV advertising campaign to support its new line of Xtreme Customz customizable toy cars, which are available now at Target and Toys “R” Us stores nationwide as well as Toysrus.com.

Round 2 has announced that for the first time in more than 40 years, Captain Action will once again be associated with Marvel Comics characters. This fall, 1/6-scaled Captain Action costume sets of Spider-Man and Captain America will debut at Toys “R” Us and other specialty retailers. Next year, additional Marvel character costumes sets will be released, including Iron Man and Thor.

Captain Action debuted in the mid-1960s. The action figure is equipped with costumes that allows it be disguised as a number of different super heroes and comic book characters.

Marvel Super Hero Squad Caricature Aircrafts are new from Maisto International, Inc. Each of the six characters has its own plane and, with wingspans of approximately four inches, they’re just the right size for little hands. Kids can choose from Captain America, Dr. Doom, Iron Man, Silver Surfer, Spider-Man, and Thor. The products feature a sturdy die-cast metal and plastic construction.

For more Fall Toy Preview coverage, pick up The Toy Book‘s September/October issue!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway (Iron Man, Punisher: War Zone) have signed on to write the script for the new feature film for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The film is being produced by Platinum Dunes for Paramount. The studio hopes to pick a director and be in production next year, writes THR.

New Products

Marvel’s Ant-Man is still going strong in theaters, and so is Disney Consumer Products’ (DCP) and Marvel‘s Ant-Man product collection. The lineup includes costumes, construction sets, action figures, and more from licensees such as Hasbro, LEGO, Funko, Hot Wheels, Rubie’s Costume Co., and Uncle Milton.

Skechers USA Inc. has partnered with Jakks Pacific Inc. to launch a new line of dolls based on Skechers’ popular Twinkle Toes character. The initial launch includes four unique dolls that stand 6.5 inches in height, and are dressed in colorful, fashion-forward outfits and light-up Skechers Twinkle Toes shoes.

LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. will release three new preschool toys—the Number Lovin’ Oven and Scout’s Build & Discover Tool Set, which offer pretend play experiences that teach math and measurement, respectively—and the Word Whammer, a phonics game that prepares children for kindergarten in an active way.

Now available from VTech, Flipsies combine traditional role play with collectible dolls and accessories, as well as VTech’s proprietary MagicPoint interactive technology. The line offers a variety of ways to play and has eight introductory themes that encourage girls to be anything they want to be, whether it’s a doctor, a marine biologist, a teacher, [...]

Merchantwise, ITV Studios Global Entertainment’s appointed licensing agency in Australia, has announced strong toy and DVD sales, as well as a host of new licensing and retail partners, for the TV series Thunderbirds Are Go in Australia.